Teacher-Scholar Postdoctoral Fellow The Program for Leadership and Character and The Department of Computer Science – Wake Forest University – Winston-Salem, NC

Job Description Summary

The Program for Leadership and Character and the Department of Computer Science at Wake Forest University seek an engaged and creative scholar to become a Teacher-Scholar Postdoctoral Fellow for one year. The Postdoctoral Fellow will join an innovative cohort of emerging scholars from the humanities, social sciences, and professional schools to develop and teach leadership and character-related courses and to contribute to co-curricular programming. The Postdoctoral Fellow will teach 2-3 three-hour courses over two semesters on the ethics involved in computer science, technology, and/or data/information, create new teaching resources and syllabi for faculty, and contribute to ongoing research on leadership and character within the university context. The Postdoctoral Fellow will benefit from course development workshops and will receive mentoring from faculty in the Program for Leadership and Character and Department of Computer Science. They will also have access to research and travel funds and an opportunity to work with a senior research scholar within the Program for Leadership and Character to assess the impact of their courses and potentially publish relevant scholarly research.

The one-year fellowship is funded by a grant from the Lilly Endowment and is open to candidates from all related fields, but applications are especially encouraged from scholars in computer science, data science, philosophy, religious studies, science and technology studies, or sociology who specialize in ethics and/or have interest in working across disciplines to pursue ethics-related teaching and research. For this particular position, a rich understanding of domains of computer or data science or technology combined with virtue ethics and/or character education is desired. However, we encourage applicants from a variety of ethical and cultural traditions, disciplinary perspectives, and demographic groups.

Wake Forest University is a private, coeducational institution dedicated to academic excellence in liberal arts, graduate and professional education. Located in Winston-Salem, NC (“The City of Arts and Innovation”), the University is ranked among the top thirty national universities by U.S. News and World Report. The University has a deep institutional commitment to public service and engagement with the world, as indicated by the motto Pro Humanitate (for humanity), which encourages students to develop the qualities of human character needed to serve humanity. With the aim to educate the whole person, the University has established an innovative Program for Leadership and Character that plans creative, liberal arts-based programming to help students develop the virtues of character needed to lead in an increasingly complex world. The Program is based on cutting-edge academic research on leadership and character, including research conducted by Wake Forest faculty in philosophy and psychology who are leading experts on the study of character. The program has established a partnership with the Oxford Character Project and has been profiled as a model for how universities can educate character. The Program recently received a major grant from the Lilly Endowment to develop leaders of character at Wake Forest and support other colleges and universities who seek to infuse leadership and character at their campuses. The Department of Computer Science has thirteen full-time faculty members, approximately 120 majors, 50 minors, and 11 graduate students. The Department prides itself on engaging undergraduate and graduate students in and out of the classroom, providing opportunities for students to work closely with faculty members in their scholarship and research.

For quick facts about the University, see http://www.wfu.edu/visitors/quickfacts.html. For more on the Program for Leadership and Character, see https://leadershipandcharacter.wfu.edu/. For articles highlighting Wake Forest’s commitment to leadership and character, see https://magazine.wfu.edu/current-issue/. For more on the Department of Computer Science, see https://cs.wfu.edu/.

Please provide a cover letter addressed to the members of the search committee, a curriculum vita, a teaching statement (maximum of 2 pages), a sample (maximum of 5 pages) of relevant teaching materials (syllabi, assignments, etc.) if available, and an example of writing appropriate to the candidate’s academic field. At least three confidential letters of recommendation should be sent via email to leadershipandcharacter@wfu.edu. The position may begin as early as June 1, 2020. Applications will be processed immediately until the position is filled.

For additional information, please contact Dr. Michael Lamb at lambkm@wfu.edu.

Job Description

Essential Functions:

• Teaches 2-3 courses depending on program needs.
• Develops teaching resources and syllabi related to leadership, character, and computer science.
• Assists with designing and delivering curricular and co-curricular programming.
• Contributes to ongoing research on leadership and character within the university context.
• Participates in course development workshops and ongoing professional development opportunities.
• Works collaboratively with faculty, staff, and postdoctoral fellows in the Program for Leadership and Character and Department of Computer Science to advance the work of both programs.
• Attends regular meetings of the Program for Leadership and Character and Department of Computer Science.
• Presents research findings at relevant academic conferences and educational convenings.
• Works with a senior research scholar in the Program for Leadership and Character to develop assessment plans for their courses and publish relevant scholarly research.
• Assists with other programming and research of the Program for Leadership and Character and Department of Computer Science as needed.

Required Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Ph.D. in a relevant field, such as computer science, data science, philosophy, religious studies, science and technology studies, or sociology.
• Experience with computer or data science, technology, ethics, and/or character education.
• Commitment to interdisciplinary teaching and research.
• Record of excellent teaching and commitment to developing creative pedagogy.
• Excellent writing, research, and communication skills.
• Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills.
• Commitment to supporting the intellectual and ethical development of students.
• Experience with, and sensitivity to, diverse populations and the ability to build inclusive and equitable communities where differences are appreciated and engaged.
• Sound character, wise judgment, and a strong work ethic.
• Demonstrated ability to:
  • Work independently with minimal supervision.
  • Set priorities and effectively manage time and resources.
  • Be a constructive and cooperative member of a team.
  • Positively influence colleagues and develop collaborative relationships with a wide range of people.

• Willingness to learn more about leadership and character development and apply that knowledge to inform curricular design, implementation, and assessment.
• Knowledge and understanding of academic cultures, rules, and regulations.
• Openness to feedback and a commitment to personal and professional growth.
• Ability to represent the programs and the university in a professional manner.
• Ability to work occasional weekend or evening hours as needed.

Preferred Education, Knowledge, Skills, Abilities:

• Teaching experience or research related to leadership, character, virtue, ethics, computer science, data science, and/or technology.
• Rich understanding of computer or data science or technology, in particular related to leadership development, ethics, and/or character education.

Note:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

Additional Job Description

Time Type Requirement

Full time

Note to Applicant:

This position profile identifies the key responsibilities and expectations for performance. It cannot encompass all specific job tasks that an employee may be required to perform. Employees are required to follow any other job-related instructions and perform job-related duties as may be reasonably assigned by his/her supervisor.

In order to provide a safe and productive learning and living community, Wake Forest University conducts background investigations and drug screens for all final staff candidates being considered for employment.

Wa ke Forest seeks to recruit and retain a diverse workforce while promoting an inclusive work environment committed to excellence in the spirit of Pro Humanitate. In adherence with applicable laws and as provided by University policies, the University prohibits discrimination in its employment practices on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, age, sexual orientation, gender identity and expression, genetic information, disability and veteran status and encourages qualified candidates across all group demographics to apply.